Holy moly! It's almost upon us! I'm still rolling ideas around in my head. I'm going to be having about 11 people, maybe a few more. I'm pretty set on the turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes. I'm still rolling around salad, dessert and sides.

I HAVE to make my chocolate ganache pie, and an apple pie. I'll probably make a third dessert but I'm not decided yet on what I'll make. Cheesecake is a possibility, as is some other pie or tart.

Salads are never to be sweet in my world. I will likely do my dad's coleslaw as we have some cabbage from the garden to use. I need one other suggestion though.

Sides...I am only going to do one "casseroley" type side and then a cooked veggie that is rather plain. I've done spaghetti squash tossed with fresh oregano and tomato and that's been a hit, I've done asparagus and proscuitto, I've done steamed everything at one time or another. I just need some inspiration here.

Acorn sqaush (or butternut or hubbard or pumpkin or just about any winter squash) steamed or baked and served with butter and pepper or a little sour cream. You can also drizzle a little maple syrup on it.

Diced sweet potato tossed with a little olive oil, worcestershire sauce, lemon and salt and baked on a cookie sheet.

Spinach sauteed with lemon and garlic (let the garlic brown just a touch and it's super yummy).

Asparagus sauteed with lemon, basil and garlic.

Hmmmm, if I think of any others I'll post them.

__________________Just because something has a duck bill doesn't mean it's a platypus. It might just be a duck. Roger Miller: You can't roller skate in a buffalo heard, but you can be happy if you've a mind to.

I love the creamed onions idea! Do you have a basic recipe? I've never done that. Got lots of little onions I could do it with. I like the broccoli salad idea too. Going to go check on those.

Quote:

Originally Posted by purple.alien.giraffe

Spinach sauteed with lemon and garlic (let the garlic brown just a touch and it's super yummy).

Asparagus sauteed with lemon, basil and garlic.

Hmmmm, if I think of any others I'll post them.

OMG, you totally got my attention with the spinach and asparagus ideas. I'm leaning to the spinach idea though. Lovely!

I should have mentioned that my Mom is diabetic, so I tend to avoid sweet anything except the desserts. I can control her portion of dessert, but at the dinner table she goes a bit wild with anything sweet.

Thanks for the ideas. Keep them coming please!

__________________You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it. Robin Williams Alix

I make a salad with cucumber, tomato, red onion, avocado, sour cream and blued cheese. I dice up the veggies, sprinkle in some blue cheese, add a dollop or two of sour cream, out a lid on the bowl and shake it all together. Then let it sit a few hours to let the flavors blend. Check occasionally and adjust as needed. Sometimes I also add a little fresh dill, sunflower seeds or walnuts.

My grandmother used to slice cucumbers, add sour cream and lawery's season salt and mix it together. Shed let it sit a few hours in the fridge. It was really good.

__________________Just because something has a duck bill doesn't mean it's a platypus. It might just be a duck. Roger Miller: You can't roller skate in a buffalo heard, but you can be happy if you've a mind to.

1 cucumber, 1/2 onion, 1 large tomato, 1 avocado. About 2 tblsp blue cheese crumbles but that can be adjusted to taste. For the sour cream I just make sure there is enough to lightly coat everything.

__________________Just because something has a duck bill doesn't mean it's a platypus. It might just be a duck. Roger Miller: You can't roller skate in a buffalo heard, but you can be happy if you've a mind to.

The red onions in the stores up here are always really large (flattened softball size) which is why I only use a half of one.

__________________Just because something has a duck bill doesn't mean it's a platypus. It might just be a duck. Roger Miller: You can't roller skate in a buffalo heard, but you can be happy if you've a mind to.

Probably. I use the red onion because it's slightly sweet and has a milder bite than raw yellow or white onion.

__________________

__________________Just because something has a duck bill doesn't mean it's a platypus. It might just be a duck. Roger Miller: You can't roller skate in a buffalo heard, but you can be happy if you've a mind to.